Lotus brought Nan Yu over as well.
Nan Yu appeared calm, as if he had known about today's situation all along.
"Master Song, shall we leave now?"
When Master Song looked at Nan Yu, his face became even more kind and gentle.
"Nanyu, we're setting off today. Once we arrive in the capital, we'll be just in time for the opening of the Hundred Arts Academy."
Upon hearing this, Nan Yu nodded and said, "I understand. Teacher, could you wait a moment while I speak with my father and mother?"
Master Song, of course, did not refuse.
He and Huaiyu stepped outside the door so that the family could say goodbye properly.
Nan Yu watched Master Song leave, then took the envelope Master Song had given him and came to the bedside.
Only then did a hint of reluctance finally show in his expression.
"Mother, Father, after I leave, please take good care of yourselves. Master Song likes me very much, and if I want to come home to see you often, I don't think he will object. Father has given me some trustworthy people, so I won't have a bad time in the capital. Don't worry too much about me."
He said some comforting words, then placed the envelope in Gu Jiangli's hand: "Mother, let's accept this gift from Master Song."
Gu Jiangli felt reluctant and tightened her grip on the envelope slightly.
She asked Nan Yu, "Do you know what's inside?"
The envelope was thin, as if it contained only a single sheet of paper.
She initially suspected that Master Song had given her silver notes, but after thinking about it carefully, she realized that Master Song wasn't the kind of person who would give away large sums of money.
Nan Yu looked as if he knew what Master Song had given him.
Nan Yu didn't rush to answer. Instead, he opened the envelope and took out a piece of paper with a lot of words written on it.
It really is a letter?
Gu Jiangli looked slightly puzzled, and Jiang Huaizhi also leaned over. The three of them read together the contents written by Master Song himself.
After reading it, Gu Jiangli was even more shocked.
This is not an ordinary letter, but a letter of sincere recommendation.
This letter of recommendation can allow a child to directly enter Baiwen Academy.
Gu Jiangli had heard before that the teachers of Baiwen Academy could indeed recommend students for admission. Students personally recommended by the teachers could be exempted from the examination and admitted directly.
However, a teacher can only recommend one student during their term of office at Baiwen Academy.
Master Song gave them the only recommendation spot!
Nan Yu has already successfully enrolled in school, so there's no need for him to recommend him. The person he wants to recommend is Nan Yu's younger brother, a baby who is less than three days old!
"This... Master Song, are you planning to send my younger brother directly to the Hundred Books Academy when he grows up? But how old is he now? What if he's not cut out for it at all? Wouldn't that be a slap in the face for Master Song?"
This is far too risky for Master Song!
Master Song gave his only recommendation spot to a baby less than three days old—something no one would believe if told.
While shocked and delighted, Gu Jiangli also felt some worry.
Whether her younger brother will be as studious as his older brother in the future is something even she, as his mother, doesn't know. So where did Master Song get the audacity to do such a thing?
Jiang Huaizhi's face was also tense.
It is clear that his thoughts are exactly the same as Gu Jiangli's.
Nan Yu, however, remained calm and said:
“Father, Mother, Master Song must have his reasons for doing this. Perhaps he thinks I am exceptionally talented and believes that my younger brother will also be as gifted in academics as I am in the future, so he has decided to make him a little genius in advance.”
“You should be happy. Many parents are desperate to get their children into Baiwen Academy. My brother is so young, yet he has already been favored by Master Song. His future path will be much smoother than mine. Master Song has already sent his gift, so please accept it gladly.”
Nan Yu's words did indeed reassure the two of them, especially Gu Jiangli.
Her children are sure to be outstanding individuals, and her younger brother will undoubtedly have no problem gaining admission to the Hundred Books Academy in the future.
She was persuaded.
On second thought, Nan Yu's calm demeanor and lack of surprise upon seeing the letter's contents made one wonder if he had known all along.
"Nanyu, we will keep the letter of recommendation. But, was it you who suggested this to Master Song?"
Nan Yu did not deny it, and said generously, "As expected, I couldn't hide it from my mother."
"Why are you doing this? Do you want your younger brother to go to the capital to keep you company?"
"Of course not." Nan Yu denied it quickly this time. "I just think this is a good opportunity. My younger brother was born prematurely, before I left home. Maybe he wants me, as his older brother, to do something for him."
"After much thought, I can only turn to Master Song for a solution. Master Song witnessed such a grand spectacle at the City Lord's Mansion, and it just so happens that my younger brother was born. As a senior, it is only right that he should offer a generous gift."
"Master Song doesn't love money, and we might not even like the calligraphy and paintings he collects. The only thing that's still useful to us is his status and position."
“I was thinking that since Master Song has never recommended a student before, why not give this opportunity to my younger brother?”
Gu Jiangli's heart, which had just been at ease, jumped again: "So it really was you who told Master Song. How did Master Song agree to this? This is his only spot."
Nan Yu said calmly, "Actually, it wasn't that difficult to persuade Master Song. He's very easy to talk to. He saw my talent and believed that my younger brother would definitely become an outstanding person in the future, so after I mentioned this matter to him, he quickly agreed."
"It's that simple?"
"It's that simple."
Gu Jiangli and Jiang Huaizhi exchanged a glance, unsure of what to say.
Things didn't go as they expected.
They had long known that Nan Yu was mature and good at planning, but the depth of his strategies was beyond their expectations.
Nan Yu started planning for his younger brother so early, even earlier than his parents.
Gu Jiangli raised her hand and patted Nan Yu's head.
This child has never caused her any worry since he was little; he can handle everything on his own. Now, he has even paved the way for his younger brother's future.
For some reason, she felt a pang of guilt.
At his age, he should be carefree and only concerned with having fun, but she rarely saw Nan Yu's face display a bright, childlike smile.
“Nanyu…” Gu Jiangli’s voice was a little low, “Mother, thank you, thank you for being so sensible, thank you for thinking so much about your brother, and thank you for being your and Father’s child.”
Nan Yu was taken aback by her tender words and paused for a moment before smiling gently: "Being able to be Father and Mother's child is the happiest thing in Nan Yu's life."
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